- PHOTO BY MATT BURKHARTT
- John Demong and Samantha Howe perform in Rochester City Ballet's "Turn of the Screw."
The show takes its name from the gothic horror novella by Henry James. Having been adapted for the screen almost too many times (most recently in Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor”), the story is actually quite refreshing to see on stage.
Ahead of the show, Artistic Director Robert Gardener announced that “Turn of the Screw” is just a taste of what Rochester City Ballet has in store for the rest of the spooky season. And a taste is exactly what was given.
- PHOTO BY MATT BURKHARTT
- Ryo Munakata and Florrie Geller in Rochester City Ballet's "Swan Lake."
Following the appetizer came the main course, “Turn of the Screw.” When a new governess, played by Megan Kamler, arrives to care for two orphans (John Demong and Samantha Howe), trouble descends quickly. The governess realizes the spirits of the estate’s former workers (Alexander Griffith and Katherine Duffy) have an eerie possession over the children.
Demong and Howe certainly bring out the youthfulness and innocence of their characters, which makes the audience fear for them. Howe especially showed her range by abruptly switching from a sweet, young girl into a demonic host body for Duffy’s possession.
- PHOTO BY MATT BURKHARTT
- John Demong and Samantha Howe perform in Rochester City Ballet's "Turn of the Screw."
It would be unwise to come in expecting a full-fledged ballet performance, but sometimes eight people, a chair, and a dresser are all that’s needed to tell a decent story. Rochester City Ballet will do it all again Saturday at 4:30 pm and Sunday at 3:30 pm at School of the arts’ Allen Main Stage Theatre.
This story is part of CITY's partnership with the students of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications' Goldring Arts Journalism program at Syracuse University.